Sunday, December 22Sports. Travel. Events

Tag: Marathon

World’s best half marathons in 2025
Calendars, Events

World’s best half marathons in 2025

Running a half-marathon, a 13.1-mile (21.1km) race, is a popular goal for runners seeking a manageable yet rewarding challenge. It bridges the gap between shorter distances like 5kms and the full marathon, offering a test of endurance without the intense commitment of marathon training. Training for a half-marathon typically spans eight to 12 weeks and includes a mix of long runs, speed workouts, and rest days. Building endurance is key, with weekly long runs gradually increasing in distance. Cross-training, strength exercises, and a focus on proper nutrition and hydration further support preparation. For many runners, a half-marathon is an entry point to long-distance running, offering the thrill of achieving a significant milestone. Half-marathons have also become a major driver...
World’s best marathons and running festivals in 2025
Calendars, Events

World’s best marathons and running festivals in 2025

Running a marathon is a monumental achievement, requiring months of preparation, discipline, and mental resilience. Covering a distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres), it tests both physical endurance and mental strength. Marathon training typically involves a structured plan of gradual mileage build-up, interval training, long runs, and proper nutrition to optimise performance and minimize injury risks. For runners seeking the ultimate challenge, the world’s most prestigious marathons offer unforgettable experiences. The seven biggest marathons in the world – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney – form the Abbott World Marathon Majors series and there’s also hundreds of other running events to choose from on any given month throughout the year.  ...
Sydney Marathon confirmed as seventh Abbott World Marathon Major
Editor's Pick, Events

Sydney Marathon confirmed as seventh Abbott World Marathon Major

Abbott World Marathon Majors has confirmed that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will join the series in 2025 to become the seventh event in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. The TCS Sydney Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 31 August 2025, joins six races including the Tokyo Marathon, the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the TCS London Marathon, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon as part of the global marathon series. The Sydney Marathon is the largest marathon in Oceania and saw a record 20,272 finishers during its 2024 race, allowing it to pass its second consecutive assessment and become an Abbott World Marathon Major. Dawna Stone, CEO of AbbottWMM, said: “I am thrilled that Syd...
Vienna, Chamonix and Reykjavik ranked the world’s best cities for running holidays
Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

Vienna, Chamonix and Reykjavik ranked the world’s best cities for running holidays

Research by Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair, has revealed the world's best cities for running holidays, with Vienna coming out on top. The comprehensive study analysed the number of running routes, their average ratings and elevation, alongside nightly accommodation costs and safety of 20 popular running destinations, to reveal the best for your next adventure abroad. Vienna, the elegant capital of Austria, ranks as the best destination for a running holiday this year with an index score of 74/100. The city offers an abundance of running routes, with more than 1,008 tracks available within a 10-mile radius of the city centre. The average route review stands at an impressive 4.6, reflecting the well-maintained and scenic paths that meander through its historic streets and parks. ...
Almaty Marathon generated $1.8m economic impact in 2023
Sports Business

Almaty Marathon generated $1.8m economic impact in 2023

Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, will host the 13th edition of the Almaty Marathon on 29 September 2024 – the largest running event in Central Asia, which has become a catalyst for change in the region. The marathon has instilled a love of running in the people of Kazakhstan and has also had a tangible impact on the economy and the wider social sphere in Almaty and the entire region. In 2012, Kazakhstani entrepreneur Galimzhan Yessenov founded the "Courage to be First" corporate foundation. The foundation has now held more than 100 events attended by more than 200,000 people from all over the world. The flagship project of the foundation – the Almaty Marathon – has become an important driver of Almaty's economic development, attracting tourists to the city and stimulating the growth ...
Marathon Tours & Travel named co-title sponsor of AbbottWMM Age Group programme
Sports Business

Marathon Tours & Travel named co-title sponsor of AbbottWMM Age Group programme

Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) has announced Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) as the new co-title sponsor of its Age Group World Rankings and Championship programme.  The new sponsorship will see the programme renamed the Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Rankings for the 2024 season that began on 1 January. MTT will also assume sponsorship of the forthcoming 2024 Age Group World Championship event. The fourth annual championship race will take place within the 2024 Sydney Marathon and feature more than 1,800 of the world’s best age group competitors, who qualified from more than 350 races worldwide during the previous 2023 season. MTT will offer special VIP Packages specifically for Age Group World Championship athletes to incl...

2024 Côte Chalonnaise Wine Marathon, Burgundy

Held in the vineyards and villages of Burgundy in France, the 2024 Côte Chalonnaise Wine Marathon will take place on Saturday 23 March. Starting and finishing in Givry, the event features a number of race distances including the full marathon, half marathon and a 10km. There will also be the “MARA3”, a race with three runners with the first runner on the 42km, the second for the 21km and third on 10km. All three runners will then finish together.  Throughout the course there will be refreshments and runners are encouraged to compete in fancy dress. There will also be a wine market all weekend with Givry wines on sale. You can register for the event at marathondesvinsdelacotechalonnaise.fr  For more information and hotels see: Event: marathondesvinsdelacotechalonnaise.fr Hotel...
Greek Running Tours by Dean Karnazes: the ‘ultimate runcation’ in Greece 
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Greek Running Tours by Dean Karnazes: the ‘ultimate runcation’ in Greece 

Greek-American ultramarathoner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes has partnered with sports tourism and wellness agency ActiveMedia Group to launch Greek Running Tours. Greece, the birthplace of the marathon, is a land where history has been created, legends made and where magic and mythology come together. As tribute to his Greek heritage and his desire to promote Greek tourism to a global audience, Karnazes gives runners the opportunity to explore Greece on foot, immersing in the history and beauty, eating the food and experiencing this legendary land in a way that few tourists ever will.  Dean Karnazes (Image: Angelos Zymaras) Along with the running (and a walking option for non-runners) each day will include cultural experiences – from bread making in the mountains of Crete, to oliv...
Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors 
Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors 

Sydney is on track to join the most high-profile marathon cities in the world, with the Blackmores Sydney Marathon officially announced as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series – the first marathon in Oceania to be nominated. To become a major, the Sydney Marathon will be required to meet “strict criteria over a three-year period”, said worldmarathonmajors.com. If successful, it will join an esteemed group of races – Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW-Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and TCS New York City Marathon – as a new member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025. Stuart Ayres, the New South Wales minister for tourism and sport, said the candidacy acknowledges the Sydney Marathon as a world-class event with one o...
Event in focus: 10th Sierra Leone Marathon
Events, Sports Travel

Event in focus: 10th Sierra Leone Marathon

Described by Runner’s World magazine as the “craziest and most worthwhile marathon”, the Sierra Leone Marathon returns in 2022 for its tenth edition.  Taking place between 1-6 June 2022, the marathon is organised by Street Child, a UK-based registered charity. It helps raise funds for the charity and raise awareness of the programmes which transform the lives of children and their families through education.  About the event  Winding through tropical jungle and local villages, the Sierra Leone Marathon route takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Sierra Leone. From a full and half marathon to a 10km or 5km option, there is something for all running abilities and regardless of your distance, each will give you a unique perspective on this beaut...
2022 cycling and marathon event travel with Destination Sport Experiences
Events, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

2022 cycling and marathon event travel with Destination Sport Experiences

Destination Sport Experiences has released details for some of its cycling and marathon trips in 2022. The sports travel company specialises in travel packages, accommodation, and guaranteed entry to marathons, cycling sportives, and international long-distance triathlons. Here we take a look at what’s on offer…  Related articles 20 of the world’s best marathons in 202210 of the world’s best half marathons in 2022Cycling events in 2022 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter Sports travel trips for cyclists Gran Fondo Strade Bianche (Image: sportograf.com via Destination Sport Experiences) Italy: Gran Fondo Strade Bianche When: 6 March 2022 About the trip: ride Le Strade Bianche (white gravel roads) around Siena, just one day after the pros have completed the route. Undul...
2021 Tokyo Marathon postponed to 6 March 2022
Events, Sports Travel

2021 Tokyo Marathon postponed to 6 March 2022

Organisers of the Tokyo Marathon have announced that the 2021 edition of the event has been postponed until 6 March 2022.  Japan’s capital city is still in a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s not possible for the marathon to go ahead on the scheduled date of 17 October.  In a statement the Tokyo Marathon race director Tad Hayano said: “We have been preparing to deliver an enjoyable event while ensuring safety, not only of our runners but of each and every individual involved in the event. Until the last possible moment, we have explored various ways of delivering the event in October, however, in consideration of the current status of the outbreak, we have made a regrettable decision to postpone the 2021 event and give up on the 2022 event.  “I would like t...
Estonia sporting events: a marathon challenge in Tallinn and Tartu
Events, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Estonia sporting events: a marathon challenge in Tallinn and Tartu

Estonia offers a variety of marathon events to participate in. From a month-long virtual marathon to a night run or one of the largest mountain bike marathons in the world, Estonia has a variety of sporting events for visitors to enjoy.  Tallinn Marathon (Image: Jarek Jõepera via Visit Estonia) Tallinn Marathon: 10-12 September 2021 Located in Estonia's capital, the Tallinn Marathon takes place from 10-12 September. It is the largest international running event in Estonia and offers the option to run 5k, 10k or a half-marathon as well as the full distance, making it a great choice for runners of all abilities. The Tallinn Marathon gives the opportunity to complete the race in the beautiful surroundings of the Unesco-declared Old Town, considered one of the best-preserved medieval...
What is Europe’s oldest marathon?
Events, Sports Travel

What is Europe’s oldest marathon?

I suspect the majority of even seasoned marathon runners would think London, Paris or Berlin to be the oldest marathon in Europe, making the answer even more intriguing. In fact Slovakia’s second largest city Kosice holds this accolade; so how did this come about? Ramy James Salameh finds out... In 2024 the Kosice Peace Marathon will celebrate its 100th anniversary, a milestone that Cassovians are extremely proud of. The marathon is the headline act for a city where sport is part of the very fabric and feeds into a truly diverse range of sporting experiences. The International Peace Marathon was inaugurated in 1924 and really is the torch bearer for sport in this fascinating city, and has given rise to many more sporting activities, clubs and titles. Kosice was awarded the status of...
Running wild: unusual marathon trips with Untamed Borders in 2020
Holidays & Trips

Running wild: unusual marathon trips with Untamed Borders in 2020

Adventure travel operator Untamed Borders has announced details of its most unique and unusual running trips for 2020.  These marathon trips are designed to give guests a genuine insight into the countries they visit, while also giving something back to the communities they meet. Having operated commercial tours to Afghanistan since 2007, marathon tourism started for Untamed Borders in 2015, when founder James Willcox joined a small group of international and Afghan people, who together set up the first ever Marathon of Afghanistan.  Willcox said: “Untamed Borders now have five marathon departures a year. This year we will be taking around 70 international guests to participate in some of the world's most exciting races.  “From the deserts of Saudi Arabia to training with female runner...
Palma Marathon travel and hotel packages available for Mallorca event
Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Palma Marathon travel and hotel packages available for Mallorca event

A number of hotels are offering special marathon packages for the 2019 Palma Marathon in Mallorca on 13 October.  Held on one of the most picturesque marathon routes in Europe, the breathtaking course traverses through the Balearic Island capital of Palma and its old town, alongside the promenade of Palma Bay following the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and past the emblematic medieval cathedral known as “La Seu”.  There are three race options for visitors wishing to participate. The full marathon and half marathon will both begin at 9am and the 10k race will start at 9.45am.  Following the race there will be two event ceremonies and an after-race party held for participants starting at 7.30pm in the Mega Park at Playa de Palma.  Palma Marathon travel information For 2019, ...

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